British American Tobacco - We’re proud to be a top employer

Quick Navigation

We’re proud to be a top employer

We’ve once again been named as a Top Employer in countries worldwide in 2017.

British American Tobacco was proud to be recognised as a Top Employer in Europe for the seventh successive year in February 2017 and to achieve this sought-after certification in three further major markets around the world – Brazil, South Africa and Russia.

Top Employer certification, which is awarded by the Top Employers Institute, recognises companies that create an environment in which their employees can develop, both professionally and personally.

After participating companies have completed an HR Best Practices Survey, the Top Employers Institute determines which ones have reached the standards required to earn Top Employer status.

Companies that achieve this in several countries may be eligible for Top Employer certification at a regional level. In 2017, we gained certification in all of our 12 participating countries* in Europe and were named as a Top Employer Europe once again.

Leif Lümkemann, British American Tobacco’s Regional Head of HR, Western Europe, said: “The award recognises the inspiring culture and strong values in our companies across Western Europe. It confirms that we are a progressive and leading company for outstanding talent that ambitious people wish to join.”

BAT South Africa has also been certified as a Top Employer for a seventh successive year. Sigrid Erdmann, formerly Head of HR – Southern Africa Area, said: “Once again BAT South Africa has been certified as a Top Employer, recognising excellence in employee conditions.”

Souza Cruz, our subsidiary in Brazil, has now been certified for six successive years, with their 2017 recognition placing them in the top four companies in the country for the first time ever.

Harry Vargas, HR Director – Souza Cruz, said: “This is an outstanding recognition of our excellent HR practices, which has led to a significant advancement into the top four.”

In gaining their second successive certification, BAT Russia scored better than 90% in seven of the nine categories, achieving 100% in Talent Strategy, Workforce Planning and Performance Management.

Sandy Wiseman, Head of HR for Russia, said: “I am particularly proud of our award because it recognises that we have world-class HR processes, a world-class HR team and world-class employees.”

David Plink, CEO of the Top Employers Institute, said: “British American Tobacco belongs to an exclusive and renowned global community of Top Employers.

“This is a perfect example of an organisation that has harmonised its operations in a way which not only benefits its employees but also its operational efficiency on a global scale.”